In Real Estate, you have to burn some fuel

Do you drive? I do…..a lot! When prices at the pump, JUMP, I feel it. Just mention it to anyone right now and step back because you are going to get an ear full. Gas prices are a subject that everyone can relate to and effect everyone you know. The Sacramento Bee states that area gas prices have jumped 15 cents in just one week! I pulled into a station just a few days ago and paid $3.80 for the lowest grade fuel and shelled out almost $70 to fill the tank….sigh 🙁 The SacBee article references a senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com. He says that gas prices are headed above $4.00 a gallon and will most likely stay there for the entire summer.

So what’s a Realtor (small business owner) to do?

Real estate agents are essentially small business owners and have to factor the cost of fuel in their monthly expenses. When the cost of fuel goes up, most agents have to make a calculated determination on how many homes they can get around to see. It’s not just the fuel spent taking clients to see homes. I like to stay on top of the current listings and get around to preview homes, even if I don’t have a potential buyer for them. Staying on top of the inventory is important if you want to add value to a buyers home search. Here is the rub….when you begin relying too much on the INTERNET, you lose your edge. Clients are paying for SERVICE and expect that you are up to speed on your local market. I like to tell clients ‘there is no substitute for being there.’

So back to the price of fuel….do you stop going….do you pass on the cost to the consumer…impossible…..you suck it up and figure it out because in order to do the job correctly, you have to burn some fuel!